Karl Hungus

Growing up, Karl loved sports. He was very competitive in his favorite game, football. But with his love of the sport came fierce competition. At the other end of town lived his arch-rival; Klaus Heisler. These two constantly tried to outperform each other on the field. One sunny day, a game became so heated, a fight broke out between the two young athletes. The black eyes, broken nose, and dark bruises on both boys made it evident there was no clear winner. Their rivalry grew more bitter until the year 1942. They both had been called to arms by their country. Klaus signed up for fighter pilot school, as did Karl. Neither one passed and they were both sent into the Luftwaffe ground forces. While Klaus was sent East into Russia, Karl was luckier. He was assigned to Flak battalion in Southern Italy. While the fighting in Africa raged he enjoyed a life of sunny skies, anti-air drills, and Mediterranean women. This, of course, was cut short with the Allied victory in Africa. Soon Karl's battalion was firing shell after shell into the sky against Allied B-24s. Karl helped load for a 8.8cm Flak 36. They soon were forced to retreat up the peninsula as Sicily fell to the Allies. This would deliver Karl into his first taste of ground combat as he and his kameraden as they fought against Operation Avalanche. His gun was used in direct combat against British tanks as they rolled through the streets of Salerno. One unusually quiet morning Karl was watching the skies. He heard the drone of fighters approaching. They quickly jumped to their feet to meet the attack. The first Typhoon bomber aimed his machine guns and fired. Bullets hit the ammo stockpile. Karl's gun exploded, sending burning shrapnel into his legs as he dove. He crawled to safety and was picked up and brought to a field hospital.

After his complete recovery, Karl was transferred into the Heer, just in time for the Normandy Invasions. He found himself as part of Kamfgruppe Heintz. He fought with the 275. through all of the Normandy campaign. While refitting for the defense of Aachen, a truckload of recruits dropped off Klaus Heisler. The two men looked each other in the eye, said nothing, and shook hands. They were comrades now. War had changed the meaning of their hometown rivalry. They would continue to be friends until the war took its toll. Late October saw the fall of Aachen. As the last pockets of German defenders were pushed from the city limits, an American attack saw the end of Karl's story. As Karl and Klaus defended their foxhole, the Allies advanced toward their positions. A frag grenade landed at the feet of them. Without hesitation, Karl lay on top of it. When 2. Kompanie regrouped, Klaus had their commander put in a request for an Iron Cross for Karl's actions. For an unknown reason, it never went through.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.